Of Strenght and Honour

[Baldur Vulgo]

So I guess by now many of you must have had the time to purchase and listen through Voimasta. So I want your opinions! What do you think of it?

Personally I couldn't love it more! This is utter brilliance! Everything from performance, via song writing, to layout is superb...A 10-pointer!

Oh and btw, if you haven't bought it already, don't hesitate to stop by Urkraft Webzine (urkraft.cjb.net) and enter our Moonsorrow competition! You might just win yourself a copy!

Heathen Hails!

[mmtutti]

easily the album of the year, as far as I'm concerned.

[Hittavainen]

It was a little bit progressive for my taste, there should be less complicated structures in the songs. But I haven't had time to listen it very long yet, so propably i'll get used to it (like so many times before). At least 'Sankarihauta' kicks ass!

[allissson]

I was informed by Spinefarm on 3 December that it is on the way to me so watch this space. :)

[mmtutti]

progression is of the essence. "less complicated structures" is precisely what music should not have, in my opinion.

[aboriginaali]

The album is quite massive package, so you´ll have to listen to it couple of times before it completely "opens" to you.

[allissson]

no @#%$, sweetie - it took 4 or 5 times for me to calm down enough to absorb Suden Uni. :)

[Big J Q]

I also took the time to buy Str. & Hon. I have listened to it only twice, and it still hasn't fully "opened", so I'll tell you my opinions later. 'Sankarihauta' and 'Kuu ja Aurinko' were easy songs, and I love them already.

However, I was disturbed by the similarities with Suden Uni-album. The second actual song (that is, not regarding 'Tyven' as an actual song) begins the same way as the second (actual) song on 'Suden Uni'. After the third actual song comes the instrumental, just like in 'Suden Uni', except that this time it's not a separated track. The instrumental (Häpeän Hiljaiset Vedet) seems to have the same melody in the beginning as in '1065: Aika'. The last actual song begins with about 2 minutes long intro (with humming), and it lasts for over 10 minutes, as in the previous album.

[mmtutti]

I took note of the same thing as Big JQ, and it disturbed me a tad, too. but I think it works well for this release, better than for Suden uni in fact.

now, I trust you'll excuse me, as I retire to listen to Bolt Thrower and Judas Priest (in spite of how the esteemed Mr. Vulgo might feel about the new album). I got the limited edition with two bonus tracks; with it came two picks and a sticker, which I immediately put on my bass, coz it looks so cute there.

[Baldur Vulgo]

:lol:

[allissson]

OK, the CD arrived yesterday and I've listened to it a few times over. I am listening to it now too.

I don't know what you men plugged yourselves into this time, but that album is totally epic. I really love it - every song. I really have to make a point of saying that Mitja (what a pretty name btw) is a most definite asset to the band. :) It's like Moonsorrow's whole sound has been ripped wide open. It's like "ethereal". You guys have more rhythm than a village full of black people. This is great stuff!!

I also appreciate you guys having the lyrics printed in english as well, that's very thoughtful of you. :)

[mmtutti]

"You guys have more rhythm than a village full of black people"? ooh, can I please use that someplace?

also, I've wanted to ask the Gods of Dis and Dat a certain question, might aswell do it now in this context. does Mitja play any solos on Voimasta ja kunniasta? please point out a few, so I can listen to them and evaluate the man's skill and style!

[Pakana]

The solos on both songs with that 'Sankari'-prefix are Mitja's handiwork. Personally I like those very much, although I know the man behind them doesn't. :p

[allissson]

mmtutti - sure, feel free to use that phrase - it's not copyrighted - I just came up with it in my head :)

[mmtutti]

Finland's finest: Moonsorrow, Finntroll, Tenhi, The Black League and Funeris Nocturnum.

eh?

[Baldur Vulgo]

I'm with you on Moonsorrow, The Black League and Finntroll, but I would like to add 91-96 era Sentenced to the list...

[VauhtiParoni]

Yeah! "North From Here" is the best death metal album from Finland ever! "ShadowsOfPast" still rulez!

[Big J Q]

I was listened to Shadows of the Past, and I think it sucked a lot. North from Here is also not-so-good, but it has a couple of *GREAT* songs (My Sky is Darker Than Thine and Awaiting the Winter Frost).

Amok rules, and is definitely the best Sentenced-album.

[Big J Q]

I'd also add Thyrane to the list of Finland's Finest. But as there are a lot of good bands in Finland I find keeping such a list pretty awkward.

[mmtutti]

North From Here is indeed the greatest death metal album from Finland ever, along with Demilich's Nespithe, and Shadows of the Past is very enjoyable. I'm not so overly fond of Amok; it has some good songs, but it gets boring rather quickly. but as always, your mileage may vary...

what I had in mind was the best of Finland AT PRESENT, and moreover, those whose music is distinct in creativity. anyways, it was just my personal toplist, for reference purposes, as the Funeris Nocturnum part probably goes to show...

hmmm, I still haven't had a taste of Thyrane, I'll have to check them out ASAP.

[Hittavainen]

Ok, you were right (god damn proge-people :mad: ). This album kicks ass!! (and after that great gig you simply cannot dislike it). It's definitely not an use-and-throw-away-stuff; I will be listening this still after ten years i think. :p
By the way, i was wondering if there's a real legend behind that 'Sankarihauta' story? ('tarustoissa elää ainiaan'). Is there?

[allissson]

I agree - there's not even one disposable song on Voimasta ja Kunniasta. The songs seem to integrate. I can't say that I think it's like Suden Uni much at all - this is something that is much bolder. As far as the formatting things that mmtuttu and BigJQ mentioned, I am not trained to notice such things so I didn't catch that. Not that it matters to me, they can arrange the songs however they see fit, long as all the songs are there. :)

And I must also hail Sentenced. I like everything they've done straight across the board - except for the cover of The Trooper - that sucked. But I can forgive them for that one very small shortcoming :)

[Peikkoperkele666]

it's a helluva album... its very compact it doesen't have any fulling songs, definetly best albums of the year!!. In my opinion it's little bit more folkish than "suden uni" and i can hear bathorys (and maybe little bit thyrfings) infulence more than in "suden uni" @#%$ great album

10/10

My Finland's finest: Moonsorrow, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Barahtrum and Ajattara....

[Pakana]

>By the way, i was wondering if there's a real legend behind that 'Sankarihauta' story? ('tarustoissa elää ainiaan'). Is there?

None that I would know of. :p

[Big J Q]

I don't like much of Sentenced's newest productions (from about Down to the present day). They don't suck, but I liked Jarva's singing and more death-metallish music.

The Trooper-cover doesn't suck, it's just very different from the original. Back in the late 90's (abt. 98-99) I too considered this particular cover to be very bad, mainly because of the not-so-clean vocals (I was too accustomed to Dickinson's singing) and somewhat chaotic playing.

I think covers should be like Sentenced's The Trooper. For example on the newest Funeris Nocturnum, Slay and Burn (re-release), the cover songs are a bit too faithful to the originals, even the Manowar-cover despite the growling vocals. Last Day in Heaven is almost a replica of the original.

[mmtutti]

agreed. what's the point of making a cover, if it doesn't sound like the band that makes it? the original is already there, it doesn't need to be duplicated. the cover of The Trooper was clearly a Sentenced version, so it was justified. plus it rocked!

[allissson]

Trooper sounds like they were just fukking around in the studio and did it without much thought. It's a "disorganised" song. If that makes sense.

[Peikkoperkele666]

Maybe the really were just fukkin' around and my theory is that they were so drunk that they didn't have the slightest tought when they recorded the song :P

[vitr]

Not fond of covers myself, people who haven't the talent or vision to write their own stuff should be on MTV. :p

When I get a cover on a live CD or see a cover live, it pisses me off no end, as I've paid to see them do their own stuff. :mad:

[allissson]

I have heard quite a few covers that totally out-do the originals. ;)

[Big J Q]

Such as?

[allissson]

Iron maiden did a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown" that was more than righteous.

Also, although I can't stand them, Children of Bodom did make a VAST improvement to Ozzy's "Shot in the Dark".

Also, Axel Rudi Pell made a fair job of Uriah heep's "July Morning". I don't care much for him either, but he did a good of that one song.

[wenduhl]

Got my "Voimasta" just yesterday...had it 3 times this year that I heard a complete CD and couldn't find any weak spot: Finntroll's "Jakten's tid", Summoning's "Let mortal heroes sing your fame" and now "Voimasta ja kunniasta" - don't care if a song may be similar to a certain part of "Suden Uni" or if the last song is quite as long as another song or not or what the heck should I know - don't wanna offend anyone but that's absolute nonsense!!!;)

Guys, that's an orgiastic master-piece of emotion - I'd like to be on a battlefield...with that music in my heart I'd be the unbeatable one...:evil:

to Allissson: Blessed be! )o(

[Maschtischaddu]

"Voimasta" is a blockbusting brain-killer!

On your knees!

[mmtutti]

<blasphemy>

almost every cover made of the songs on Death's Scream Bloody Gore album is better than the original, due to the horrendous production of the said album. I am especially pleased with Incantation's version of the title track. and since I'm not all too fond of Slayer (they write [wrote] supernally catchy songs, but Araya sux), I am prone to think that all cover versions of Slayer's material are infinitely more tolerable. Angel of Death by Monstrosity, for example, and the Slatanic Slaughter tribute albums in their entirety are quite splendid.

</blasphemy>

[mmtutti]

hold on a moment... Chuck is dead? no!

I... I have no words. not even empty ones.

doom. doom for us all.

[wenduhl]

...yeah, he died already Decembre, 13th...they kept it secret almost a whole week...

...well, think, now he's sitting on the tables of Valhalla...not the worst swap I guess...

[mmtutti]

so it appears. and I only just found out, and it was completely by accident. it's nothing like when Kobain died, that's for sure... needless to say, I've done plenty of mourning, listening to Death. I deem Chuck Schuldiner to have been one of the most gifted musicians out there.

life bites, but Death unites.

[allissson]

well, I wouldn't exactly call Kurt Cobain a loss to anything. He did that to himself and I wouldn't waste time mourning such a worthless coward.

Now, Chuck Schuldiner was (and not strictly musically-speaking either) a true inspiration and example of courage. definitely a good man.

[mmtutti]

I am one of those, who don't view suicide as cowardice. it is a Personal Solution. Kobain was well off, so he didn't really have to escape from anything tangible: he was spiritually and emotionally distressed. I can relate to that. it was his call. I judge not, lest I one day be judged.

[mmtutti]

well, I've now had a listen of a couple of Slayer albums, and the earlier stuff ain't as monumentally crappy as the last three albums. but I still think the death metal versions on the Slatanic Slaughters are superior: I still don't like Araya.

[Pakana]

Well Alll, he was an innovative musician and a strange fellow by all means. I appreciate him at least.

Homage also to Chuck's memory. Rest in peace.